{"id":58,"date":"2009-09-29T20:03:40","date_gmt":"2009-09-29T20:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=58"},"modified":"2009-09-29T20:03:40","modified_gmt":"2009-09-29T20:03:40","slug":"marvelous-merlots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=58","title":{"rendered":"Marvelous Merlots"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MerlotMerlot<\/strong> is one of my favorite food wines.\u00c2\u00a0 It is very easy to drink, approachable, and goes well with just about all red meat meals.\u00c2\u00a0 The very best Merlots do have some good structure along with very enjoyable flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 I realize the grape has had a lot of bad press since that silly movie “Sideways.”\u00c2\u00a0 The negative press\u00c2\u00a0coupled with the serious over supply and quality issues from a few years back led to a fall in this noble grape’s popularity.\u00c2\u00a0 Times have changed and Merlot producers are determined to put their beloved grape back on the map.\u00c2\u00a0 In our big blind tasting we tried 14 offerings.\u00c2\u00a0 10 of them made the cut as Very Good or better.\u00c2\u00a0 On the low end, the results were not as favorable.\u00c2\u00a0 But we did find a couple of Good+ and a Very Good offering to recommend.\u00c2\u00a0 I also worked in a smattering of additional Merlots that I tried this summer in CA.\u00c2\u00a0 This includes my top selection which just blew me away!<\/p>\n

\"Kendall_Jackson_2006_Napa_Mountain_Merlot\"What was my favorite Merlot this year?\u00c2\u00a0 It was the 2006 Kendall Jackson \u201cNapa Mountain\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $55<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 I scored this wine Excellent with\u00c2\u00a096 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It is an incredible bargain at that price.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0However, you will\u00c2\u00a0need to hurry and call the winery as there were only 581 cases of this gem made. \u00c2\u00a0This Merlot was clearly one of the best wines that I tried on a recent trip to California<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It is full-bodied, extremely well balanced, and silky.\u00c2\u00a0 It displays absolutely delicious black cherry flavors along with noticeable tannins that are rather lengthy.\u00c2\u00a0 This is top notch Merlot!<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 You should get a bottle to show off to your best friends.\u00c2\u00a0 Have it ready for the next time someone knocks Merlot and then serve them this gem and they will be a Merlot fan forever.\u00c2\u00a0 Trust me, you will be spoiling them.<\/p>\n

\"Chappellet_2006_Merlot\"The next wine was the winner of\u00c2\u00a0our big blind tasting in August.\u00c2\u00a0 It was the 2006 Chappellet \u201cNapa Valley\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $30<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel awarded this wine with 91 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It was full-bodied, nicely balanced, structured and velvety.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile is a very tasty blueberry.\u00c2\u00a0 Its well managed tannins drift away nicely.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel really enjoyed this complex Merlot and felt it was a lot of wine for the money.\u00c2\u00a0 They would pair it with a NY strip steak.<\/p>\n

\"Pedestal_2006_Merlot\"Right on the heals of the Chappellet was the 2006 Pedestal Merlot<\/a><\/strong> from Columbia Valley, WA.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine also scored\u00c2\u00a0 91 points<\/strong> and was only a fraction behind the Chappellet.\u00c2\u00a0 The big difference was the Pedestal costs a bit more at $55<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 But as you will see based upon the next few wines, this is a common price range for some of the best Merlots.\u00c2\u00a0 Some are even higher.\u00c2\u00a0 Like past vintages,\u00c2\u00a0the Pedestal\u00c2\u00a0was full-bodied, very well balanced, and super refined.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile was a rich and spicy black\u00c2\u00a0currant.\u00c2\u00a0 It showed very fine tannins that drifted away nicely.\u00c2\u00a0 This Merlot needed a little time and air to open up, but when it did, it did so beautifully.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel felt this elegant Merlot would pair very well with a filet mignon at your favorite steakhouse over the next couple of years.<\/p>\n

\"Robert_Foley_2005_Merlot\"Next up was a Merlot that we enjoyed with colleagues at Grill 23<\/strong><\/a> in Boston.\u00c2\u00a0 This Merlot was the 2005 Robert Foley<\/a><\/strong> from Napa Valley.\u00c2\u00a0 We scored this wine 91 points<\/strong> and it costs $45<\/strong> per bottle.\u00c2\u00a0 As readers know we have scored Mr. Foley’s Merlots very well in the past.\u00c2\u00a0 We feel he consistently makes one of the best Merlots each and every year. The 2005 vintage of his wine was very nicely balanced and rather smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 Our group enjoyed its very tasty blueberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 A few in the group picked up a touch of black currant and black pepper as well.\u00c2\u00a0 It paired quite well with our steaks and was a hit all around the table.<\/p>\n

\"Marchesi_de_Frescobaldi_2005_Lamaione_Merlot\"Next up from our big blind tasting was the 2005 Marchesi de Frescobaldi \u201cLamaione\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> from Toscana, Italy.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel was enamored with its silky and rather elegant style.\u00c2\u00a0 That combined with its impressive dusty black cherry flavors made it one of the most intriguing Merlots in the tasting.\u00c2\u00a0 We awarded this wine with 90 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It costs $72<\/strong> and we would pair it with a filet mignon<\/p>\n

\"Kendall_Jackson_2006_Grand_Reserve_Merlot\"The next Merlot surprised some panelists, but not me.\u00c2\u00a0 The 2006 Kendall Jackson \u201cGrand Reserve\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $28<\/strong> finished in 4th place in our recent big blind tasting and was given 89<\/strong> points from the panel.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering was medium-bodied and nicely balanced.\u00c2\u00a0 It displayed rich and concentrated black raspberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel also detected appealing notes of blackberry and black currant.\u00c2\u00a0 This was a complex and hearty Merlot that has substantial tannins right now.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel placed it with chicken gumbo or steak tips with a ginger sesame sauce in the near term.\u00c2\u00a0 The other option is to cellar it for a year or two.<\/p>\n

\"Thelema_2006_Merlot\"The next Merlot will really appeal to our Old World fans.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering also seems to show very well every year.\u00c2\u00a0 The 2006 Thelema Merlot<\/a><\/strong> from Stellenbosch, South Africa was voted Very Good and received 89 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine opens with a smoky grilled-meat-like bouquet and continues that style with smoky blackberry flavors with notes of black currant, licorice, and oak.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a classic and distinctive South African-styled Merlot that would pair perfectly with pot roast.\u00c2\u00a0 There were only 200 cases imported at $29<\/strong> per bottle.\u00c2\u00a0 So if you like this style of Merlot, seek\u00c2\u00a0out this one soon.<\/p>\n

\"Shafer_2006_Merlot\"Shafer<\/a> <\/strong>always makes a well received Merlot and their 2006 for $48<\/strong> is no exception.\u00c2\u00a0 I rated this wine Very Good and scored it 89<\/strong> points on my trip to California.\u00c2\u00a0 Like most of the 2006 vintage wines it was nicely balanced and very easy to drink.\u00c2\u00a0 It showed mild black currant flavors with notes of dark cocoa.\u00c2\u00a0 Its very refined tannins make it a pleasant food wine that I would serve with a pork tenderloin.<\/p>\n

\"Duckhorn_2006_Estate_Grown_Merlot\"Next up is a pair of Merlots from Duckhorn<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Both wines scored Very Good and received 89 points<\/strong> from the panel.\u00c2\u00a0 The first wine was the 2006 Duckhorn \u201cEstate Grown\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $85<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine was medium-bodied, very nicely balanced, and ultra smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 It displayed very tasty cherry flavors with notes of blueberry and plum.\u00c2\u00a0 The only thing holding this wine back from scoring well into the 90 point range was its relatively short finish.\u00c2\u00a0 The other Duckhorn entry was the 2004 \u201cRed Wine\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> from Howell Mountain for $75<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine was 91% Merlot so we entered it into the Merlot field.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering was a little bigger.\u00c2\u00a0 It was full-bodied, very nicely balanced and smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 Its flavor profile was a pleasant blueberry with hints of plum and oak.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel suggested that this Merlot would pair well with pot roast.<\/p>\n

\"Ledson_2005_Russian_River_Merlot\"The next 2 Merlots were from wineries that were new to me.\u00c2\u00a0 I discovered both wineries and wines on my recent trip to California.\u00c2\u00a0 The first wine is the 2005 Ledson \u201cRussian River Valley\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $34<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 I scored this wine Very Good and gave it 89 points<\/strong> in a comparative tasting that I attended while visiting California.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine opens with a unique smoky blueberry bouquet.\u00c2\u00a0 It is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, elegant, and smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 The smoky profile continues on the palate along with blueberry and oak flavors as well.\u00c2\u00a0 I thought this was a pleasant near term Merlot to pair with filet mignon.<\/p>\n

\"La_Jota_2005_Howell_Mountain_Merlot\"The second new discovery was the 2005 La Jota \u201cHowell Mountain\u201d\u009d Merlot <\/a><\/strong>for $45<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 I also scored this wine Very Good and awarded it with 89<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 I thought this offering was the best wine in the La Jota lineup.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a medium-bodied, balanced, and a very approachable wine.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile was a mild black raspberry with some noted blueberry and a dash of black pepper and spice.\u00c2\u00a0 I really enjoyed this wine’s very lengthy fine tannins that went on for quite some time.\u00c2\u00a0 It's a perfect wine for a nice thick cut of prime rib.<\/p>\n

\"Chateau_Ste_Michelle_2005_Merlot\"In the value range we came up with 4 Merlots that should meet your needs from a price and quality standpoint.\u00c2\u00a0 First from the big blind tasting came the 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot<\/a><\/strong> from Columbia Valley, Washington for $16<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel scored this wine 87.3 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This mild cherry flavored Merlot also displayed notes of spice and beet.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel thought this nice everyday Merlot with meatloaf or barbecue steak tips. Finally, not only is this wine Very Good and affordable, it is also plentiful as 160,000 cases were made.<\/p>\n

\"Dona_Paula_2006_Estate_Merlot\"Next up is the winner from our mini flight of affordable Merlots.\u00c2\u00a0 The 2006 Dona Paula \u201cEstate\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/strong><\/a> from Tupungato, Argentina scored Very Good and received 87 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering was medium-bodied, balanced, and very easy to drink.\u00c2\u00a0 It presented gentle black cherry flavors and moderate tannins were tingly and stick around for a while.\u00c2\u00a0 We felt this very approachable Merlot was a Very Good bargain for $16<\/strong> per bottle.\u00c2\u00a0 We\u00c2\u00a0would pair\u00c2\u00a0it with a big thick grilled burger.<\/p>\n

\"Cono_Sur_2008_Bicycle_Merlot\"The next 2 offering were rated 86 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 We call them Good+.<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 They are Good values and a cut above the other offerings in their price range.\u00c2\u00a0 First was the 2008 Cono Sur \u201cBicycle\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $10<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine hails from the Central Valley in Chile.\u00c2\u00a0 It opens with an old oak and campfire-like bouquet.\u00c2\u00a0 It continues its Old World style on the palate with its soft and easy going light oak infused black cherry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 It's a Good burger wine and it's at a really good price.\u00c2\u00a0 The last value wine is an old standby and a classic glass pour at many restaurants.\u00c2\u00a0 The 2006 Columbia Crest \u201cGrand Estates\u201d\u009d Merlot<\/a><\/strong> for $11<\/strong> is medium-bodied, balanced, approachable, and soft.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile is a gentle black cherry with a hint of blueberry and a touch of old oak.\u00c2\u00a0 This easy to drink Merlot would pair very nicely with a barbecue chicken sandwich.<\/p>\n

Other recommended Merlots:<\/p>\n

1) Darioush 2006 Merlot \u201cSignature\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> (Napa) $48<\/strong> (89<\/strong>)
\n2) Seven Hills 2007 Merlot \u201cSeven Hills Vineyard\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> (Walla Walla, WA) $28<\/strong> (89<\/strong>)
\n3) Robert Mondavi 2006 Merlot \u201cNapa Valley\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0$23<\/strong> (87<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

As you can see this is a nice cross section of Merlots at various price ranges.\u00c2\u00a0 Merlot is slowly making a comeback and there are several really good ones out there to choose from.\u00c2\u00a0 Try one today and enjoy.<\/p>\n

Cheers – Ken\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Merlot is one of my favorite food wines.\u00c2\u00a0 It is very easy to drink, approachable, and goes well with just about all red meat meals.\u00c2\u00a0 The very best Merlots do have some good structure along with very enjoyable flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 I realize the grape has had a lot of bad press since that silly movie “Sideways.”\u00c2\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,10,8,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kens-wine-guide-tasting-panel","category-merlot","category-wine-recommendations","category-wine-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=58"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=58"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=58"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=58"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}